Adams challenged by Figuerado for Planning Board

SWANSEA — Two-term incumbent Scott Adams is facing a challenge from Kenneth Figuerado for a five-year seat on the Planning Board on election day, April 8.

Bill Hall

SWANSEA — Two-term incumbent Scott Adams is facing a challenge from Kenneth Figuerado for a five-year seat on the Planning Board on election day, April 8.

Mr. Adams was elected in 2003 and re-elected in 2008 when he ran unopposed. Mr. Figuerado is running for office for the first time.

SCOTT ADAMS

Mr. Adams has owned his own engineering firm, E G Advanced Engineering Group, out of East Providence, R.I., for the past seven years. He had worked for the engineering firm of Edwards and Kelcey prior to starting his own company that now employs 10, engineers, drafters and designers.

Prior to his professional career, Mr. Adams interned for the town of Swansea while in college. He worked under the Director of Highway Services and Engineering David Webster.

"I worked with Mr. Webster in the late 90's," said Mr. Adams. "I did engineering and design projects for him. I learned a lot working with Mr. Webster."

When Mr. Adams formed his own company, he was already a member of the Planning Board and tried to stay away from projects that were in the town.

"Fortunately, I have had enough work out of town," he said, being licensed in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and looking to New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.

When Mr. Webster left town for a position in Tiverton, R.I., Mr. Adams and his colleagues on the board faced the issue of replacing him.

"The only thing that Mr. Webster outsourced was drainage," he said. "We did not have his service anymore, so we looked at what other communities were doing and most had hired engineers to perform peer reviews of projects. The engineers were paid by the developer but chosen and worked for the Planning Board."

Mr. Adams noted that the process has worked well, pointing out that he feels the quality of the plans coming before the board has improved.

"We have three sets of engineers looking at the plans, the one representing the developer, one representing the town and I get to look over the plan."

Mr. Adams wants to stay at least another five years with the board, as some large projects loom. "The Super Wal Mart is the largest in jobs, taxes and traffic improvement," he said. "It will promote additional revenue from the Route 6 corridor, at places like the Tilcon-Capaldi site and Sears Farm Road."

Mr. Adams also would like to be a board member when the issue of the former town landfill progresses. "I am a lifelong resident of the town and plan to stay and the landfill issue could have the biggest impact," Mr. Adams said. "I would like to see that through." Mr. Adams, who serves as chairman of the Planning Board, noted that the present group is a solid board.

"We have an architect (Robert Medeiros), surveyor (Gregory Denis), engineer (Mr. Adams), another who has been in construction (Glenn David Medeiros) and another who is a police officer with past experience on the board (Gary White)," Mr. Adams said, adding that they can count on the full time planner, Steven Antinelli.

"We try to be fair to the community and to the applicant."

KENNETH FIGUERADO

Mr. Figuerado spent his first five years in Swansea before his family moved away. He returned to the community approximately 16 years ago.

He worked for two to three years with Tibbetts Engineering as a lab technician when he was in his early 20's. He was part of the crew that researched the property where the Taunton Galleria was built. He left that position and went into working as a sales manager at a Rent A Center on Cape Cod before an opportunity opened at Jordan's Furniture where he became a manager and stayed for approximately 10 years.

He met his wife who was a sales associate at Jordan's and the two became involved in real estate. They now co-own Turbo Sell Real Estate where they have been for the past year and a half. He had worked with High Point Properties. Mr. Figuerado is also working part time as an associate for Viridian Energy which is involved in the green energy field.

"I like working with people and helping them out, it's something I enjoyed being a manager," said Mr. Figuerado when talking about his working career. "I think that the planning department is a good fit." Mr. Figuerado wanted to give back to the town and felt that being part of the Planning Board was a place to be.

"I attended the Planning Board meetings with customers and got an idea about the process," he said. "Recently, I have been going to the meetings. My schedule is different so I feel I can give the time."

"I am running for the position," Mr. Figuerado said, noting that he did not go to run against Mr. Adams specifically. "If things do not work out this time, I would run again next year."

"From the meetings I have seen, Mr. Adams is a strong player on the team. I would not want to see it fall apart if he lost, but I think having some different blood is a good thing too," he said.

"I would like to be part of a board that helps plan things for the future," Mr. Figuerado added. "With my interest in real estate, I think I can contribute." Mr. Figuerado noted that he likes the way the current Planning Board works with other boards.

"I see they work with the other boards to share input," he added. "I appreciate what they do." Pointing out that each member of the five- member board serves for five-year terms, Mr. Figuerado felt he can make the commitment.

"I would like to be involved if the commuter rail comes because it will have an impact on the area and having good planning will be important," Mr. Figuerado said, adding that commuter rail does not always work out well.

New business in town is another area that Mr. Figuerado is interested in.

"We have some good properties and I would like to see them developed positively," he said. "They have maxed out in Seekonk, so having business coming here is a positive thing."

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.